Optimal utilization of multiple transceivers in a wireless environment

ABSTRACT

Switching between and/or combining various multi-transceiver wireless communication techniques based on a determined characteristic of a network or a wireless link is described herein. As an example, a characteristic such as signal to noise ratio (SNR), multi-path scattering, available bandwidth, or the like, can be determined. The characteristic can then be compared with suitable thresholds for various multi-transceiver communication techniques, such as MIMO, multi-channel concatenation, channel diversity, and so on. Based on a comparison of the characteristic and the thresholds, a suitable multi-transceiver technique can be selected and implemented for the wireless link. Accordingly, a network can provide increased data rates and/or channel quality from a multi-transceiver technique that is most suited to prevailing conditions of the wireless network/link.

RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application is a continuation of, and claimspriority to each of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/874,887 (nowU.S. Pat. No. ______), filed Oct. 5, 2015, and entitled, “OPTIMALUTILIZATION OF MULTIPLE TRANSCEIVERS IN A WIRELESS ENVIRONMENT,” whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/958,674 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,185,601), filed Dec. 18, 2007, and entitled, “OPTIMALUTILIZATION OF MULTIPLE TRANSCEIVERS IN A WIRELESS ENVIRONMENT,” theentireties of which applications are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND

As numbers of mobile communication device users and mobile servicesubscribers continue to increase, the demand placed on mobile networkcomponents to provide remote communication services for such devices andsubscribers increases commensurately. To compound this problem, today'smobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs),etc.) can be utilized as full-service computing mechanisms. For example,many of the most recent and advanced mobile devices can be associatedwith word processing software, web browsing software, electronic mailsoftware, accounting software, and various other types of software. Ingeneral, applications heretofore available only by way of computingdevices and/or Internet protocol (IP) based network devices are nowavailable on such mobile devices. This expansion in capability of mobiledevices can often lead to a desire for higher data rates and higherquality wireless communication. As an example, streaming data services,such as streaming video or streaming audio, can often perform in a moresatisfactory manner if a sufficiently high data rate and/or sufficientyhigh channel quality are available for a wireless link providing thestreaming data service.

Although higher data rates are typically sought after, not all wirelessservice providers provide a common data rate. On the contrary, variousservice providers can offer a range of bandwidths or data rates forIP-based subscriber traffic, depending on capabilities of a provider'snetwork. Accordingly, mobile networks typically must accommodateprocessing and channel bandwidth resources for circuit-switched voicecommunication as well as packet-switched data communication of variousdata rates. Various mechanisms for increasing data rates for mobilecalls have been implemented. One common way is simply to increasechannel bandwidth. However, this is not always a viable result where anetwork is bandwidth limited, especially in densely populated urbanareas. Thus, additional mechanisms for increasing network bandwidth,while preserving network capacity and call quality, are constantlysought after by wireless carriers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a sample system that providesalternative multi-transceiver communication techniques for a wirelesslink.

FIG. 2A illustrates a sample depiction of a multiple input multipleoutput (MIMO) technique for a wireless link between a base station and amobile handset.

FIG. 2B illustrates a sample depiction of a multi-channel concatenationtechnique for a wireless link utilizing multiple channels.

FIG. 2C depicts an example illustration of a transmit and/or receivediversity technique for a wireless link between a base station and amobile handset.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a sample system that providesswitching between multi-transceiver communication techniques for awireless link.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of an example system that providesdecoding and encoding of multi-data stream transmission according tosome aspects.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example system thatperiodically monitors a wireless link to dynamically switch betweenmulti-transceiver techniques.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of a sample system that provides combineddiversity and multi-channel concatenation for a wireless link.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a sample methodology for providingalternative multi-transceiver communication techniques for a wirelesslink.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of an example methodology for determiningbetween multi-transceiver techniques based on channel scattering andsignal/noise ratio.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a sample methodology for selecting aMIMO communication technique based on characteristics of a wirelesslink.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a sample methodology for selecting amulti-channel concatenation technique based on characteristics of awireless link.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of a sample operating environmentfor processing data in a wireless environment according to aspectsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 12 depicts a block diagram of a sample networking environmentsuitable to provide a wireless link between a base station and a mobilehandset.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The application is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that variousembodiments of the application can be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “system,”“equipment,” “interface”, “network,” and/or the like are intended torefer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination ofhardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example,a component can be, but is not limited to being, a process running on aprocessor, a processor, a hard disk drive, multiple storage drives (ofoptical and/or magnetic storage medium), an object, an executable, athread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way ofillustration, both an application running on a server and the server canbe a component. One or more components can reside within a processand/or thread of execution, and a component can be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers.

The subject disclosure provides for switching between and/or combiningvarious multi-transceiver wireless communication techniques. Switchingbetween and/or combining techniques can be based on a channelcharacteristic associated with a particular wireless link. If thechannel characteristic rises above a certain threshold, a firstmulti-transceiver technique can be used. If the channel characteristicis above a second threshold and/or below the first threshold, a secondmulti-transceiver technique can be used, and so on. In addition,suitable multi-transceiver techniques can be combined based on acomparison of the channel characteristic and the threshold. Accordingly,a suitable multi-transceiver technique can be chosen to provide optimaldata rate and/or channel quality based on determinable wirelessconditions.

According to one or more further aspects of the subject disclosure, abase station can form a wireless link with a mobile handset and obtain asignal to noise (SNR) level and/or a multi-path scattering level of thewireless link. Such level(s) can be measured, calculated and/orquantified at the mobile handset, the base station, or both. If themulti-path scattering level rises above a first threshold, a multi-datastream, single channel technique can be utilized to increase data ratesfor the wireless link as compared with single transceiver operation. Ifthe SNR level is above a second threshold and/or the multi-pathscattering level is below the first threshold, a multi-channelconcatenation technique can be utilized to provide increased data rates.Alternatively, or in addition to the multi-data stream and themulti-channel techniques, if the SNR is below the second threshold, amulti-transceiver diversity technique can be utilized to provideincreased quality for the wireless link. As described, the subjectdisclosure can analyze concurrent conditions of the wireless link toprovide a multi-transceiver communication technique most suited for theconcurrent conditions.

According to still other aspects, a base station can combinemulti-transceiver communication techniques to provide increases datarate and channel quality as compared with typical communication. Forinstance, if a multi-path scattering level associated with a wirelesslink is relatively low, multi-channel concatenation can be utilized toincrease typical wireless data rates. In addition, if a mobile handsethas suitable processing capability, two or more signals can each bereceived by two or more handset transceivers over separate channels,assuming such channels utilize a substantially common frequency band.The signals received by each of the two or more transceivers can beprocessed by the mobile handset to provide receive diversity for two ormore channels. As a result, increased data rate can be provided inconjunction with increased channel quality as compared with conventionaltechniques.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed embodiments are described hereinin connection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intendedto include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a sample system 100 that providesalternative multi-transceiver communication techniques for a wirelesslink between a mobile network base station 102 and a mobile handset 104.Selecting between alternative communication techniques can be based atleast in part on a characteristic of the wireless link. By comparingsuch characteristics with one or more threshold factors associated withthe multi-transceiver communication techniques, a technique can beselected that provides increased data rate and/or channel qualitycompared with conventional techniques (e.g., single transceiver wirelesscommunication).

System 100 can include a channel analysis component 106 that obtains achannel characteristic of the wireless link between the mobile basestation 102 and the mobile handset 104. For instance, the mobile handsetcan analyze the wireless link and/or data transmitted via the link todetermine a block error rate (BER) associated with such data. The BERcan be utilized to determine a signal to noise ratio (SNR) for thewireless link and/or a channel quality indicator (CQI) of such link.These parameters, BER, SNR, CQI, can provide compatibility informationfor various multi-transceiver communication techniques. For instance, arelatively high SNR can be beneficial for multi-channel concatenation.Further, antenna diversity can be utilized to increase channel qualityif a wireless link has relatively low SNR.

In addition to the foregoing, the wireless link can be analyzed todetermine scattering conditions associated with wireless transmissionbetween the base station 102 and the mobile handset 104. Scatteringconditions (e.g., resulting from buildings, landmasses and otherphysical objects that can reflect wireless transmissions) can beutilized in conjunction with some multi-transceiver communicationtechniques to achieve increased data rates on a single frequency channel(e.g., multiple input multiple output [MIMO] transmission and/orvariations thereof). For example, typical wireless transmissionarchitectures can often have a maximum data rate for a single datastream transmitted by a single antenna. However, the data rate can beincreased by splitting the data stream into multiple streams transmittedby multiple antennas (102) over a common frequency band (e.g., by way ofspatial multiplexing). To decode the split streams, a receiver (104)requires a mechanism to receive the multiple streams and process andrecombine them. Multi-path scattering can provide such a mechanism.Scattering in a wireless link can cause a signal to exhibit spatialdistortion at a receiving device (104). Such distortion can be utilizedto distinguish the multiple data streams at a receiver. Accordingly, themultiple streams can be decoded even though they are transmitted on acommon frequency band. Therefore, under proper multi-path scattering andSNR conditions, a signal can be split into multiple transmissions by amulti-transceiver emitter to increase overall data rates for the signal.

A characteristic of the wireless link, such as SNR and/or multi-pathscattering factor, can be measured at the mobile device 104 or the basestation 102. If measured at the mobile device 104, the characteristiccan be transmitted to the base station 102 over the wireless link. Adetermination component 108 can then compare the channel characteristicto a predetermined threshold associated with one or moremulti-transceiver communication techniques. A result of the comparisoncan be used to determine whether the mobile handset 104 can obtain ahigher quality or higher data rate by employing multiple signals on asingle channel or on multiple channels of the wireless link. Forinstance, if a multi-path scattering level meets a predeterminedthreshold, a transmission can be split into multiple data streams on asingle frequency channel (e.g., in a MIMO arrangement). Alternatively,or in addition, if a SNR of the wireless link rises above a qualitythreshold, a multi-channel concatenation technique can be used where asignal is transmitted over two separate channels (e.g. separatefrequencies) concurrently to provide an increased data rate.Furthermore, if the SNR of the wireless link is below the qualitythreshold, a diversity-based receive or transmit mode can be utilized toimprove transmission quality in the wireless link. Accordingly, system100 can select a multi-transceiver communication technique suitable tothe characteristic of the wireless link.

In addition to the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the claimedsubject matter can be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article ofmanufacture using typical programming and/or engineering techniques toproduce software, firmware, hardware, or any suitable combinationthereof to control a computing device, such as a mobile handset, toimplement the disclosed subject matter. The term “article ofmanufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer programaccessible from any suitable computer-readable device, media, or acarrier generated by such media/device. For example, computer readablemedia can include but are not limited to magnetic storage devices (e.g.,hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips . . . ), optical disks (e.g.,compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD) . . . ), smart cards,and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive . . . ).Additionally, it should be appreciated that a carrier wave generated bya transmitter can be employed to carry computer-readable electronic datasuch as those used in transmitting and receiving electronic mail or inaccessing a network such as the Internet or a local area network (LAN).Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modificationsmay be made to this configuration without departing from the scope orspirit of the claimed subject matter.

Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the wordexemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As usedin this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or”rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, orclear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of thenatural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; orX employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under anyof the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” asused in this application and the appended claims should generally beconstrued to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear fromcontext to be directed to a singular form.

Furthermore, the terms to “infer” or “inference”, as used herein, refergenerally to the process of reasoning about or inferring states of thesystem, environment, and/or user from a set of observations as capturedvia events and/or data. Inference can be employed to identify a specificcontext or action, or can generate a probability distribution overstates, for example. The inference can be probabilistic—that is, thecomputation of a probability distribution over states of interest basedon a consideration of data and events. Inference can also refer totechniques employed for composing higher-level events from a set ofevents and/or data. Such inference results in the construction of newevents or actions from a set of observed events and/or stored eventdata, whether or not the events are correlated in close temporalproximity, and whether the events and data come from one or severalevent and data sources.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C provide depictions of example multi-transceivercommunication architectures to provide context and clarification foraspects of the subject disclosure. FIG. 2A provides a sample depictionof a MIMO technique for a wireless link between a base station and amobile handset. As defined herein, MIMO can include multiple input(e.g., multiple transmitter) multiple output (e.g., multiple receiver),as well as degenerate MIMO cases, including single input multiple output(SIMO) and multiple input single output (MISO) transmission (e.g.,single transmitter multiple receiver, and multiple transmitter singlereceiver, respectively). In addition to the foregoing, MIMO can includevarious multi-transceiver transmission techniques known in the art suchas beamforming (e.g., multi-layer beamforming or single-layerbeamforming), spatial multiplexing, or diversity coding, or a suitablecombination of these or like techniques.

Beamforming is a signal processing mechanism that can be implemented inconjunction with multiple transmitters and/or multiple receivers, whichdetermines a direction of maximum signal strength of a received signaland/or increases sensitivity in such direction. In general, beamformingcan involve directional transmission control and/or directionalsensitivity reception to a radiation pattern (e.g., wireless link). Forinstance, one or more transmitters can emit a signal with differingpower levels in differing directions. A receiver(s) can distinguish adirection(s) of maximum and/or increased signal strength (max direction)from a direction(s) of null or decreased signal strength. In addition,the receiver(s) can increase sensitivity in the max direction(s) and/orreduce sensitivity in directions of low or null signal strength or in adirection(s) where signal noise or interference is detected. Asdescribed, beamforming can provide gain for a signal transmitted in aparticular direction as compared with omni-directional emission of acomparable signal at a comparable transmission power.

Spatial multiplexing is a multi-transceiver technique that can provideincreased data rates in an environment of limited bandwidth by splittinga signal into multiple data streams on a substantially common bandwidthchannel. A single data stream over a single orthogonal frequencydivision multiple access (OFDMA) or spatial division multiple access(SDMA) network channel is typically limited to a certain data rate. Sometechniques for providing increased data rates involve allocatingadditional bandwidth (e.g., concatenating multiple channels orincreasing channel bandwidth) to a call. In high population areas wheremany mobile calls are serviced concurrently by a serving mobile network,however, it can be impractical to provide increased data rates simply byallocating additional bandwidth to calls. In contrast, spatialmultiplexing utilizes a common frequency channel, but splits a datastream into multiple streams (e.g., 208A, 210A, 212A) transmitted bymultiple antennas on the channel. Accordingly, spatial multiplexing canprovide increased channel capacity if a receiving device can decode andrecombine the split data streams. As discussed above, multiple datastreams transmitted over a substantially common frequency channel can bedistinguished if sufficient multi-path scattering exists in a wirelesslink (206A). Thus, with sufficient multi-path scattering, as well assufficient SNR, spatial multiplexing can provide significantly increasedchannel capacity and throughput.

Diversity coding typically involves transmission of a data stream overmultiple channels concurrently. Diversity coding can require increasedchannel resources, but can provide higher quality transmission/receptionif a wireless link (e.g., 306A) exhibits relatively low SNR. Diversitycoding can transmit a signal over multiple channels concurrentlyresulting in diversity gain and increased throughput from use ofmultiple channel resources. Accordingly, if sufficient network resourcesare available, diversity coding can provide increased quality, gain andsignal throughput in a mobile environment (200A).

FIG. 2A depicts a system 200A utilizing a spatial multiplexing MIMOtechnique to provide increased data rate and/or channel capacity for asingle-channel wireless link 206A. The single-channel wireless link 206Aprovides data exchange between a base station 202A and a mobile handset204A. The link 206A utilizes a particular frequency band (e.g., 20kilohertz [kHz]) and a stream of data transmitted over such frequencyband is limited to a particular data rate.

The single channel MIMO transmission mode depicted by system 200A cansplit a single signal into multiple signals. For instance, if the basestation 202A and mobile handset 204A each have N transceivers, where Nis an integer, the devices (202A, 204A) can split the signal (206A) intoN separate data streams (206A, 208A, 210A). Each separate data stream(206A, 208A, 210A) can be transmitted at substantially a maximum datarate permitted by the single-channel wireless link 206A. Accordingly,spatial multiplexing can provide increased capacity for thesingle-channel wireless link 206A. Typically, a spatial multiplexingarrangement requires relatively high SNR and multi-path scattering in awireless link (206A) so that separate data streams transmitted over asubstantially common frequency channel can be decoded at a receivingdevice (202A, 204A).

FIG. 2B illustrates a sample depiction of a mechanism to increasethroughput of a wireless link (206B) by multi-channel concatenation.Concatenation involves separating a data signal (206B) onto two or moreseparate frequency channels 208B, 212B. As an example for illustrativepurposes, a base station 202B can split a single data stream (206B) intomultiple data streams 210B, 214B transmitted by separate antennas onseparate frequency channels 208B, 212B. A mobile handset 204B canreceive the multiple data streams at one or more receivers and recombinethe streams into a single data stream.

Typically, concatenation utilizes a like number of antennas at anemitter (202B) and a receiver (204B). However, if the emitter and/orreceiver have sufficient processing capability, a single transceiver canbe utilized to split the data stream and broadcast/receive multiplestreams 210B, 214B over multiple frequency channels 208B, 212B. Forinstance, if two wireless channels 208B, 212B each operate at a 20 kHzchannel bandwidth, a transmit or receive signal processor at the basestation 202B and/or mobile handset 204B (not depicted) operating atsubstantially 40 kHz can split a data stream into two separate streams210B, 214B. The split streams 210B, 214B can then be transmitted on thetwo wireless channels 208B, 212B of a multi-channel wireless link 206B.Likewise, a single antenna operating at substantially 40 kHz at themobile handset 204B can receive, process and recombine the data streams210B, 214B, or two antennae operating at substantially 20 kHz could eachreceive one stream (210B, 214B) on one channel (208B, 212B) and providethe separate streams to a signal processor (not depicted).

According to some embodiments of the subject disclosure, multipleantennas at the mobile handset 204B can each receive multiple signalstransmitted over multiple channels. Such an arrangement can providechannel diversity in conjunction with multi-channel concatenation. Forexample, two antennas at the mobile device 204B operating atsubstantially 40 kHz each could receive two data streams (210B, 214B)transmitted over two 20 kHz channels (208B, 212B) concurrently.According to diversity principles, receiving multiple copies of a datastream can provide enhanced quality reception as well as diversitychannel gain. Accordingly, if a base station 202B and/or mobile handset204B have sufficient signal processing capability, and a multi-channelwireless link has suitable SNR, multi-channel concatenation can beutilized in conjunction with transmit/receive diversity. Such anarrangement can provide increased data rates for a wireless link (206B)as well as improve channel quality and provide diversity gain.

FIG. 2C depicts an example illustration of a transmit and/or receivediversity technique for a wireless link (206C) between a base station202C and a mobile handset 204C. The diversity technique depicted bysystem 200C involves a single-channel wireless link 206C, althoughsimilar techniques can be utilized in conjunction with multiple datastreams and/or multi-channel wireless links if suitable signalprocessing capability is available at a transmitter (202C, 204C) and/orreceiver (202C, 204C). Base station 202C transmits and receives a singledata stream 208C over a single-channel wireless link 206C. Likewise,mobile handset also transmits and receives the single data stream 208Cover the single-channel wireless link 206C. However, each device (202C,204C) can transmit the data stream 208C multiple times on the link(206C). For instance, if the base station 202C has two transmitters,substantially like copies of the data stream 208C can be transmittedacross the link (206C) and received by an antenna at the mobile handset204C. Multiple transmissions can provide redundancy in the data stream208C. Accordingly, if data is lost on a first of the transmissions(208C), the mobile handset 204C can cross-reference an additionaltransmission (208C) and attempt to recover the lost data.

According to additional embodiments, system 200C can a receive diversityarrangement. According to receive diversity, the mobile handset 204Cutilizes multiple receivers to each receive a copy of a data stream 208Csent by an emitting device (202C). The receivers can utilize differentreceive paths, signal processing techniques, and so on, to receive thedata stream 208C. If one receiver is unable to decode a portion of thedata stream 208C, another receiver can be cross-referenced to recoversuch portion. Thus, by utilizing multiple receivers in conjunction witha single data stream 208C, system 200C can provide increased SNR andreduced BER for a single-channel wireless link 206C. It should beappreciated that the foregoing can also be applicable to transmitdiversity implemented by an emitter (202C) in conjunction with receivediversity implemented by a receiver (204C). Multiple like copies of adata stream (208C) can be transmitted and each received by multiplereceivers. Such a technique can introduce further redundancy to thesingle-channel wireless link beyond that provided by transmit diversityor receive diversity alone. Transmit and receive diversity could beuseful, for instance, if a SNR of the link 206C is unusually low andsignificant error results in data transmitted between devices (202C,204C).

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a sample system 300 that canswitch between multi-transceiver communication techniques in a wirelessenvironment. System 300 can include a base station 302 and a mobilehandset 304 coupled by a wireless communication link. The base stationand/or the mobile handset can have one or more transceivers 312, 314and/or 316, 318 respectively. System 300 can utilize a channelcharacteristic of the wireless communication link between the basestation 302 and handset 304, as well as a number of availabletransceivers and/or signal processing capabilities of the devices (302,304), to select between multiple multi-transceiver communicationtechniques for communication over the wireless link. Accordingly, anincreased data rate and/or channel quality can be provided depending onconditions associated with the link or devices (302, 304).

System 300 can include a channel analysis component 306 can that obtaina channel characteristic of the wireless link. The characteristic can bedetermined at the mobile handset 304 and transmitted to the base station302 (or, e.g., one or more additional mobile handsets—not depicted),determined at the base station 302, or a combination thereof. Thechannel characteristic can include a SNR, BER, multi-path scatteringfactor, high bandwidth availability, or a combination of these or likecharacteristics that can impact wireless link throughput, quality, ormulti-channel/multi-data stream operability.

In addition, system 300 can include a determination component 308 thatreceives and compares a channel characteristic(s) to a predeterminedthreshold (e.g., a predetermined SNR level, a predetermined multi-pathscattering level, predetermined processing resource level, and so on).Based on the comparison, the determination component 308 can identify anoptimal (e.g., higher quality and/or higher data rate) multi-transceivercommunication technique for the wireless link. For instance, a high SNRand high multi-path scattering level can provide optimal results from amulti-stream single channel technique (e.g., spatial multiplexing MIMO).Alternatively, a mid-level SNR and/or relatively high channelavailability can result in increased data rate utilizing a multi-channelconcatenation technique. Further, a relatively low SNR can be improvedutilizing a diversity transmit/receive technique. In addition to theforegoing, combinations of such techniques, such as transmit/receivediversity in conjunction with spatial multiplexing or multi-channelconcatenation, could be determined optimal based on the channelcharacteristic(s).

In accordance with some aspects, determination component 308 can rejectemploying the multiple signals on either the single channel or themultiple channels and select a diversity receive mode based on thechannel characteristic(s). For instance, if a SNR is below a qualitythreshold, MIMO and concatenation type multi-receiver transmission maybe ineffective. Accordingly, increased quality provided by receiveand/or transmit diversity techniques can be a more optimal choice forthe wireless link.

According to further aspects, system 300 can include a multi-modeswitching component 310 that can communicate a multi-transceivercommunication technique to a mobile handset 304. For instance, themulti-mode switching component 310 can instruct the mobile handset 304to interface at least two of a plurality of handset transceivers (316,318) with two or more data streams of a single channel if a channelcharacteristic(s) meets a single channel threshold (e.g., a minimum SNRor multi-path scattering level). In addition, the multi-mode switchingcomponent 310 can instruct the mobile handset 304 to synchronize the atleast two of the plurality of handset transceivers (316, 318) toconcatenate multiple wireless channels if the channel characteristic(s)meets a multi-channel threshold (e.g., mid to high SNR and/or sufficientbandwidth availability).

As a particular example, channel analysis component 306 can obtain achannel characteristic indicating that the wireless link between thebase station 302 and the mobile handset 304 has high SNR but lowmulti-patch scattering. Based on this information, determinationcomponent 308 can select employing multiple signals on multiple channelsof the wireless link to provide increased throughput for wireless dataexchange. Accordingly, multi-mode switching component 310 can instructthe mobile handset to synchronize transceiver₁ 316 with a first wirelesschannel and a second transceiver (e.g., transceiver_(N) 318) to a secondwireless channel and concatenate signals received over the channels.According to this multi-transceiver technique, the two wireless channelswill be transmitted over substantially different frequency bands.

According to another particular example, channel analysis component 306can obtain a channel characteristic indicating that the wireless linkhas high SNR and high multi-path scattering. Based on such information,determination component 308 can select a multi-data stream, singlechannel transmission technique (e.g., MIMO) to provide increased datarates for the wireless link utilizing the high multi-path scattering todistinguish the multiple data streams over the single channel. Thus,multi-mode switching component 310 can instruct the mobile handset tointerface two or more transceivers (316, 318) with two or more separatestreams of data on a substantially common frequency band. Bytransmitting and receiving the multiple streams each at substantially amaximum data rate for the frequency band, an increased data rate can beobtained as compared with a single data stream transmitted over thefrequency band.

According to still other examples, channel analysis component 306 canobtain a channel characteristic indicating a relatively low SNR in thewireless link. Accordingly, determination component 308 can select atransmit/receive diversity mode to provide increased quality. In suchcase, multi-mode switching component 310 can also instruct the mobilehandset 304 to synchronize the at least two of the plurality of handsettransceivers 316, 318 to each receive a single data stream to reduceerror rates in transmitted data. Accordingly, multi-mode switchingcomponent 310 can provide an interface that enables synchronizedswitching from one multi-transceiver architecture to another based on acharacteristic of a wireless link between the mobile handset 304 andbase station 302.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of an example system 400 that providesdecoding and encoding of multi-data stream transmission according tosome aspects. System 400 can include a base station 402 and mobilehandset 404 each having multiple transceivers (406, 408, 410, 412) tofacilitate multi-transceiver wireless communication. For instance,concatenation of multiple wireless channels, with or without diversitytransmission/reception, can be implemented. System 400 can alsoimplement various MIMO techniques (e.g., beamforming, spatialmultiplexing, code diversity, etc.) as an alternative to concatenationand/or transmit/receive diversity. Specifically, selection of a suitablemulti-transceiver technique can be based on concurrent channelcharacteristics associated with a wireless link between the base station402 and mobile handset 404. Accordingly, an optimal technique can beutilized to provide increased data rate or channel quality for variousconditions.

In addition to the foregoing, multi-stream transmission can betransmitted, received, processed and combined at the base station 402and mobile handset 404. A multi-stream decoding component 414, 416 atthe base station 402 and mobile handset 404, respectively, can combinetwo or more signals received at the base station 402 or handset 404. Forinstance, in a spatial multiplexing environment, the multi-streamdecoding components 414, 416 can combine a first signal received over afirst data stream (e.g., by transceiver₁ 406, 410) with a second signalreceived over a second data stream (e.g., by transceiver_(N) 408, 412).The resulting signal can include substantially twice as much data ascould be carried by a single data stream.

As another example, in a multi-channel concatenation environment,multi-stream decoding components 414, 416 can combine a first signalreceived over a first channel with a second signal received over asecond, separate channel to form a combined communication. By utilizingtwo channels concurrently, substantially twice as much throughput, ordata rate, can be achieved for a wireless communication. As long assufficient channel resources and sufficient SNR are available for thecommunication, multi-channel concatenation can be an attractivemechanism.

Moreover, multi-stream decoding components 414, 416 can include advancedsignal processing techniques to enable reception of multiple datastreams by each transceiver (406, 408, 410, 412). For instance, twotransceivers (410, 412) of the mobile handset 404 can be directed toeach receive two separate data streams transmitted over a common 20 kHzfrequency channel via spatial multiplexing. The multi-stream decodingcomponent 416 could operate at 40 kHz (or, e.g., multiples of a numberof separate streams received at each of multiple channels) to processand recombine the two signals received by the first antenna (410) andthe two signals received by the second antenna (412). Accordingly, aspatially multiplexed signal on a substantially common 20 kHz frequencychannel could be received with diversity to improve reception ofmultiple data streams. Alternatively, two transceivers (410, 412) of themobile handset 404 can be directed to each receive two separate datastreams transmitted over two separate frequency channels. In a similarmanner, multi-stream decoding components 414, 416 can process andrecombine the two data streams at each receiver (e.g., by operating atsubstantially 40 kHz for 20 kHz channels), facilitating diversityreception for multi-channel concatenation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example system 500 thatperiodically monitors a wireless link to dynamically switch betweenmulti-transceiver techniques. System 500 includes a base station 502 anda mobile handset coupled by a wireless link. The base station 502includes two or more transceivers, transceiver₁ 512 throughtransceiver_(N) 514; the mobile handset 504 can include one or moretransceivers (not depicted). As described herein, a determinationcomponent 506 can obtain a channel characteristic and select betweenvarious multi-transceiver techniques to increase data rate and/orquality for the wireless link.

According to some embodiments, the determination component 506 furtherincludes a channel monitoring component 508 that determines a concurrentvalue of a channel characteristic of the wireless link (e.g., SNR, BER,multi-path scattering factor, directional gain/loss, CQI, bandwidthavailability, device signal processing capability, and so on). Forinstance, the channel monitoring component 508 can periodically measureand/or receive an indication of the channel characteristic. Suchperiodic indication can be helpful to provide a dynamic mapping ofcharacteristics associated with the wireless link.

Based on the concurrent channel characteristics, a dynamic modecomponent 510 can periodically compare a concurrent value of the channelcharacteristic(s) with a predetermined threshold pertaining to one ormore multi-transceiver transmission techniques. For instance, athreshold SNR and/or multi-path scattering level can be compared todetermine compatibility or gain resulting from spatial multiplexing.Alternatively, or in addition, the concurrent channel characteristicscan be compared with a threshold SNR and bandwidth availability todetermine compatibility or gain resulting from multi-channelconcatenation. Further, a minimum quality threshold can be compared tothe channel characteristic to determine whether diversity transmissionor reception would be beneficial to provide increased quality andreduced BER. Thus, by periodically comparing concurrent channelcharacteristics with such thresholds, the determination component 506can dynamically select a suitable multi-transceiver technique suited tothe wireless link. Accordingly, system 500 can achieve a substantialimprovement over conventional techniques that enable only a single typeof multi-transceiver technique for a particular mobile handset 504 orparticular base station 502.

FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of a sample system 600 that providescombined diversity and multi-channel concatenation for a wireless link.System 600 includes a base station 602 and mobile handset 604communicatively coupled by a wireless link. The base station 602 and/ormobile handset 604 can include multiple transceivers (612, 614). Inaddition, the base station 602 can select a multi-transceivercommunication technique for the wireless link based at least in part ona concurrent channel characteristic of the wireless link, as describedherein.

System 600 can include a multi-mode switching component 606 that caninstruct the mobile handset 604 to synchronize one or more transceivers(not depicted) of the mobile station 604 to a multi-transceivercommunication technique selected by the base station 602. As an example,multi-mode switching component 606 can instruct the mobile handset 604to synchronize two handset transceivers to receive two data streamstransmitted via two independent frequency bands and concatenate the datastreams into a combined signal.

Multi-mode switching component 606 can include a transmit diversitycomponent 608 that instructs the mobile handset to further synchronizetwo or more handset transceivers to utilize a transmit diversityarrangement for two or more data streams transmitted on two or morewireless channels. Accordingly, the two or more transceivers can besynchronized to split a signal into two or more data streams. The datastreams can each be transmitted concurrently on a separate channel by aseparate handset transceiver.

Multi-mode switching component 606 can also include a receive diversitycomponent 610 that instructs the mobile handset 604 to furthersynchronize at least two handset transceivers to receive each ofmultiple data streams transmitted on multiple channels of asubstantially common frequency band. For instance, a sampling rate of asignal processor can be set to a frequency of the two or more wirelesschannels multiplied by the number of data streams received (e.g., 40 kHzfor two data streams transmitted via two 20 khz channels, 60 kHz forthree data streams transmitted via three 20 kHz channels, and so on).Accordingly, system 600 provides a mechanism for integrating transmitand/or receive diversity techniques in conjunction with multi-channelconcatenation. Such an arrangement can provide increased data rates aswell as higher quality reception, if wireless channel and networkbandwidth resources are sufficient.

The aforementioned systems have been described with respect tointeraction between several components, modules and/or mobile networkfunctions. It should be appreciated that such systems andcomponents/modules/functions can include those components orsub-components specified therein, some of the specified components orsub-components, and/or additional components. For example, a systemcould include channel analysis component 106, determination component108, and multi-stream decoding component 414, or a different combinationof these and other components. Sub-components could also be implementedas components communicatively coupled to other components rather thanincluded within parent components. Additionally, it should be noted thatone or more components could be combined into a single componentproviding aggregate functionality. For instance, transmit diversitycomponent 608 can include receive diversity component 610, or viceversa, to facilitate instructing a mobile handset to utilize eithertransmit or receive diversity, or both, by way of a single component.The components may also interact with one or more other components notspecifically described herein but known by those of skill in the art.

Furthermore, as will be appreciated, various portions of the disclosedsystems above and methods below may include or consist of artificialintelligence or knowledge or rule based components, sub-components,processes, means, methodologies, or mechanisms (e.g., support vectormachines, neural networks, expert systems, Bayesian belief networks,fuzzy logic, data fusion engines, classifiers . . . ). Such components,inter alia, and in addition to that already described herein, canautomate certain mechanisms or processes performed thereby to makeportions of the systems and methods more adaptive as well as efficientand intelligent.

In view of the exemplary systems described supra, methodologies that maybe implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter will bebetter appreciated with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 7-10.While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies areshown and described as a series of blocks, it is to be understood andappreciated that the claimed subject matter is not limited by the orderof the blocks, as some blocks may occur in different orders and/orconcurrently with other blocks from what is depicted and describedherein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks may be required toimplement the methodologies described hereinafter. Additionally, itshould be further appreciated that the methodologies disclosedhereinafter and throughout this specification are capable of beingstored on an article of manufacture to facilitate transporting andtransferring such methodologies to computers. The term article ofmanufacture, as used, is intended to encompass a computer programaccessible from any computer-readable device, media, or a carrier inconjunction with such computer-readable device or media.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a sample methodology 700 for providingalternative multi-transceiver communication techniques for a wirelesslink based on characteristics of the wireless link or wireless network.At 702, method 700 can form a wireless data link with a mobile handset.The wireless link can utilize a radio frequency channel, such as alicensed cellular frequency or a public WiFi frequency, a microwavefrequency or the like. In addition, the wireless link can include one ormore frequency bands, and can carry circuit-switched information orpacket-switched information, or both. The wireless handset can be acellular phone, mobile phone, dual-mode device, multi-mode device,laptop, PDA, or a combination thereof or of the like.

At 704, method 700 can obtain a channel characteristic of the wirelessdata link and compare the channel characteristic with a predeterminedthreshold. The channel characteristic of the wireless data link caninclude SNR, BER, CQI, bandwidth availability, multi-path scattering, ora combination thereof or a like characteristic that can affectoperability or performance of a multi-transceiver communicationtechnique. In addition, the predetermined threshold can be a level of achannel characteristic pertinent to operability, compatibility oreffectiveness of one or more multi-transceiver communication techniques.For instance, a minimum SNR and/or multi-path scattering factor can beassociated with a first threshold pertinent to MIMO communication. Asanother example, a second minimum SNR level and/or a channel bandwidthavailability can be associated with a second threshold pertinent tomulti-channel concatenation. As a further example, a suitable SNR levelcan be associated with transmit or receive diversity techniques.

At 706, method 700 can select a multi-transceiver communicationtechnique based at least in part on a result of comparing the channelcharacteristic with the predetermined threshold. Such technique caninclude a MIMO communication (e.g., spatial multiplexing), multi-channelconcatenation, and/or transmit/receive diversity. Accordingly, method700 provides a process for selecting a suitable multi-transceivercommunication technique pertinent to capabilities of a mobile network orprevailing channel conditions with a mobile handset.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of an example methodology 800 for determiningbetween multi-transceiver techniques based on channel scattering andsignal/noise ratio. At 802, a SNR or multi-path scattering factor of awireless network link can be obtained. For instance, such data can bedetermined by a mobile handset and transmitted to a network basestation. Alternatively, or in addition, a component of the network basestation, base station controller, etc., can receive and/or determine theSNR or multi-patch scattering factor. At 804, a determination can bemade as to whether an obtained SNR is above or below a qualitythreshold. If the SNR is below the quality threshold, method 800 canproceed to 806 where a transmit and/or receive diversity arrangement canbe selected for the wireless network link.

If the determination at 804 results in a SNR higher than the qualitythreshold, method 800 can proceed to 808 where a second determination asmade as to whether a multi-path scattering factor is above a scatteringthreshold. If the scattering factor is below the scattering factor,method 800 can proceed to 810 where multi-channel concatenation isselected for the wireless network link. If the scattering factor isabove the scattering threshold, method 800 can proceed to 812 where aspatial multiplexing MIMO arrangement is selected for the wirelessnetwork link. As described, method 800 provides for determining anappropriate multi-transceiver communication technique for wirelesscommunication based on capabilities of a network link.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a sample methodology 900 for selectinga MIMO communication technique based on characteristics of a wirelesslink. At 902, method 900 can obtain indication of a multi-pathscattering factor in a wireless link suitable to implement MIMOtransmission. At 904, method 900 can instruct a wireless handset toswitch from a non-MIMO to a MIMO transmission. At 906, method 900 caninstruct the mobile handset to utilize spatial multiplexing for the MIMOtransmission. Alternatively, the mobile handset can be instructed toutilize beamforming or code diversity, or a suitable other MIMOtransmission technique. At 908, method 900 can exchange data with themobile handset by way of the MIMO transmission. Accordingly, method 900provides for switching between a non-MIMO and a MIMO transmissionarchitecture based on obtaining indication of suitable multi-pathscattering in a wireless link with the mobile handset.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a sample methodology 1000 forselecting a multi-channel concatenation technique based oncharacteristics of a wireless link. At 1002, method 1000 can obtain anSNR, or an available bandwidth parameter, or both, of a wireless linkbetween a base station and a mobile handset. At 1004, method 1000 cancompare the SNR and/or available bandwidth parameter to a concatenationthreshold requirement. At 1006, if the SNR and/or bandwidth meet theconcatenation threshold requirement, method 1000 can instruct the mobilehandset to switch to multi-path concatenation communication. At 1008, asignal processing capability of the handset can be obtained. The signalprocessing capability can include a data sampling rate, processingfrequency, or a like parameter pertinent to concurrent multi-channel ormulti-path processing.

At 1010, the signal processing capability can be compared to a diversitymode requirement. The diversity mode requirement can be related toprocessing capability needed for processing two or more data streamsreceived over two or more channels by each of multiple antennasconcurrently. For instance, a multi-path signal is sent to the mobilehandset via two data streams on one of two separate channels. Thehandset has a dual-receiver arrangement, enabling both channels to bereceived concurrently. If processing and sampling capabilities at themobile handset are sufficient (e.g., substantially twice a samplingfrequency of the two data streams or greater), each antenna can receiveboth of the data streams concurrently. Thus, at 1012, if the signalprocessing capability is suitable to meet the diversity moderequirement, method 1000 can instruct the mobile handset to utilizediversity reception and/or transmission in conjunction with multi-pathconcatenation. Accordingly, method 1000 can provide increased data rateby switching to a multi-path concatenation arrangement, and provideincreased signal reception/transmission quality by implementing achannel diversity technique in conjunction with the concatenation.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer 1102 operable to provide networking and communicationcapabilities between a wired or wireless communication network and aserver and/or communication device. In order to provide additionalcontext for various aspects of the claimed subject matter, FIG. 11 andthe following discussion are intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of a suitable computing environment 1100 in which thevarious aspects described herein can be implemented. While thedescription above is in the general context of computer-executableinstructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled in theart will recognize that the claimed subject matter also can beimplemented in combination with other program modules and/or as acombination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the claimed subject matter can also bepracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

A computer (1102) typically includes a variety of computer-readablemedia. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatileand non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalvideo disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Suitable combinationsof the any of the above should also be included within the scope ofcommunication media derived from computer-readable media and capable ofsubsequently propagating through electrically conductive media, (e.g.,such as a system bus, microprocessor, data port, and the like) and/ornon-electrically conductive media (e.g., in the form of radio frequency,microwave frequency, optical frequency and similar electromagneticfrequency modulated data signals).

With reference again to FIG. 11, the exemplary environment 1100 forimplementing various aspects includes a computer 1102, the computer 1102including a processing unit 1104, a system memory 1106 and a system bus1108. The system bus 1108 couples system components including, but notlimited to, the system memory 1106 to the processing unit 1104. Theprocessing unit 1104 can be any of various commercially availableprocessors, such as a single core processor, a multi-core processor, orany other suitable arrangement of processors. The system bus 1108 can beany of several types of bus structure that can further interconnect to amemory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, anda local bus using any of a variety of commercially available busarchitectures. The system memory 1106 can include read-only memory(ROM), random access memory (RAM), high-speed RAM (such as static RAM),EPROM, EEPROM, and/or the like. Additionally or alternatively, thecomputer 1102 can include a hard disk drive, upon which programinstructions, data, and the like can be retained. Moreover, removabledata storage can be associated with the computer 1102. Hard disk drives,removable media, etc. can be communicatively coupled to the processingunit 1104 by way of the system bus 1108.

The system memory 1106 can retain a number of program modules, such asan operating system, one or more application programs, other programmodules, and program data. All or portions of an operating system,applications, modules, and/or data can be, for instance, cached in RAM,retained upon a hard disk drive, or any other suitable location. A usercan enter commands and information into the computer 1102 through one ormore wired/wireless input devices, such as a keyboard, pointing andclicking mechanism, pressure sensitive screen, microphone, joystick,stylus pen, etc. A monitor or other type of interface can also beconnected to the system bus 1108.

The computer 1102 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, phones, or other computing devices, such asworkstations, server computers, routers, personal computers, portablecomputers, microprocessor-based entertainment appliances, peer devicesor other common network nodes, etc. The computer 1102 can connect toother devices/networks by way of antenna, port, network interfaceadaptor, wireless access point, modem, and/or the like.

The computer 1102 is operable to communicate with any wireless devicesor entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand,restroom), and telephone. This includes at least WiFi and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

WiFi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. WiFi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out, anywhere within the range of a basestation. WiFi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b,g, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A WiFinetwork can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet,and to wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). WiFi networksoperate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11 Mbps(802.11a) or 54 Mbps (802.11b) data rate, for example, or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Now turning to FIG. 12, such figure depicts a GSM/GPRS/IP multimedianetwork architecture 1200 that includes a GSM core network 1201, a GPRSnetwork 1230 and an IP multimedia network 1238. The GSM core network1201 includes a Mobile Station (MS) 1202, at least one Base TransceiverStation (BTS) 1204 and a Base Station Controller (BSC) 1206. The MS 1202is physical equipment or Mobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobile phoneor a laptop computer that is used by mobile subscribers, with aSubscriber Identity Module (SIM). The SIM includes an InternationalMobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which is a unique identifier of asubscriber. The MS 1202 includes an embedded client 1202 a that receivesand processes messages received by the MS 1202. The embedded client 1202a can be implemented in JAVA and is discuss more fully below.

The embedded client 1202 a communicates with an application 1202 b thatprovides services and/or information to an end user. One example of theapplication can be navigation software that provides near real-timetraffic information that is received via the embedded client 1202 a tothe end user. The navigation software can provide road conditions,suggest alternate routes, etc. based on the location of the MS 1202.Those of ordinary skill in the art understand that there are manydifferent methods and systems of locating an MS 1202.

Alternatively, the MS 1202 and a device 1202 c can be enabled tocommunicate via a short-range wireless communication link, such asBLUETOOTH. For example, a BLUETOOTH SIM Access Profile can be providedin an automobile (e.g., device 1202 c) that communicates with the SIM inthe MS 1202 to enable the automobile's communications system to pullinformation from the MS 1202. The BLUETOOTH communication system in thevehicle becomes an “embedded phone” that employs an antenna associatedwith the automobile. The result is improved reception of calls made inthe vehicle. As one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, anautomobile is one example of the device 1202 c. There can be an endlessnumber of devices 1202 c that use the SIM within the MS 1202 to provideservices, information, data, audio, video, etc. to end users.

The BTS 1204 is physical equipment, such as a radio tower, that enablesa radio interface to communicate with the MS. Each BTS can serve morethan one MS. The BSC 1206 manages radio resources, including the BTS.The BSC can be connected to several BTSs. The BSC and BTS components, incombination, are generally referred to as a base station (BSS) or radioaccess network (RAN) 1203.

The GSM core network 1201 also includes a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)1208, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 1210, a Home LocationRegister (HLR) 1212, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1214, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 1218, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 1216. The MSC 1208 performs a switching function for the network.The MSC also performs other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC1210 provides a gateway between the GSM network and other networks, suchas an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTNs) 1220. In other words, the GMSC 1210 providesinterworking functionality with external networks.

The HLR 1212 is a database or component(s) that comprises administrativeinformation regarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSMnetwork. The HLR 1212 also includes the current location of each MS. TheVLR 1214 is a database or component(s) that includes selectedadministrative information from the HLR 1212. The VLR includesinformation necessary for call control and provision of subscribedservices for each MS currently located in a geographical area controlledby the VLR. The HLR 1212 and the VLR 1214, together with the MSC 1208,provide the call routing and roaming capabilities of GSM. The AuC 1216provides the parameters needed for authentication and encryptionfunctions. Such parameters allow verification of a subscriber'sidentity. The EIR 1218 stores security-sensitive information about themobile equipment.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 1209 allows one-to-one ShortMessage Service (SMS) messages to be sent to/from the MS 1202. A PushProxy Gateway (PPG) 1211 is used to “push” (e.g., send without asynchronous request) content to the MS 1202. The PPG 1211 acts as aproxy between wired and wireless networks to facilitate pushing of datato the MS 1202. A Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP) protocol router 1213is provided to convert SMS-based SMPP messages to cell broadcastmessages. SMPP is a protocol for exchanging SMS messages between SMSpeer entities such as short message service centers. It is often used toallow third parties, e.g., content suppliers such as news organizations,to submit bulk messages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and short messageservice (SMS), the MS first registers with the network to indicate itscurrent location by performing a location update and IMSI attachprocedure. The MS 1202 sends a location update including its currentlocation information to the MSC/VLR, via the BTS 1204 and the BSC 1206.The location information is then sent to the MS's HLR. The HLR isupdated with the location information received from the MSC/VLR. Thelocation update also is performed when the MS moves to a new locationarea. Typically, the location update is periodically performed to updatethe database as location-updating events occur.

The GPRS network 1230 is logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 1232, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 1234. The SGSN 1232 is at the same hierarchicallevel as the MSC 1208 in the GSM network. The SGSN controls theconnection between the GPRS network and the MS 1202. The SGSN also keepstrack of individual MS's locations and security functions and accesscontrols.

A Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 1233 communicates cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile phone customers who arelocated within a given part of its network coverage area at the time themessage is broadcast.

The GGSN 1234 provides a gateway between the GPRS network and a publicpacket network (PDN) or other IP networks 1236. That is, the GGSNprovides interworking functionality with external networks, and sets upa logical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched dataleaves the GPRS network, it is transferred to an external TCP-IP network1236, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order to access GPRSservices, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS network by performingan attach procedure. The MS then activates a packet data protocol (PDP)context, thus activating a packet communication session between the MS.the SGSN, arc the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services can be used inparallel. The MS can operate in one three classes: class A, class B, andclass C. A class A MS can attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS also supports simultaneousoperation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example, class Amobiles can receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data calls at thesame time. A class B MS can attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time. A classC MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSM services at atime. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRS services and GSMservices is not possible with a class C MS.

A GPRS network 1230 can be designed to operate in three networkoperation modes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of aGPRS network is indicated by a parameter in system information messagestransmitted within a cell. The system information messages dictate a MSwhere to listen for paging messages and how signal towards the network.The network operation mode represents the capabilities of the GPRSnetwork. In a NOM1 network, a MS can receive pages from a circuitswitched domain (voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS cansuspend the data call or take both simultaneously, depending on theability of the MS. In a NOM2 network, a MS cannot receive pages from acircuit switched domain when engaged in a data call, since the MS isreceiving data and is not listening to a paging channel. In a NOM3network, a MS can monitor pages for a circuit switched network whilereceived data and vise versa.

The IP multimedia network 1238 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andincludes an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 1240 to provide richmultimedia services to end users. A representative set of the networkentities within the IMS 1240 are a call/session control function (CSCF),a media gateway control function (MGCF) 1246, a media gateway (MGW)1248, and a master subscriber database, called a home subscriber server(HSS) 1250. The HSS 1250 can be common to the GSM network 1201, the GPRSnetwork 1230 as well as the IP multimedia network 1238.

The IP multimedia system 1240 is built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)1243, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 1242, and a serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 1244. TheP-CSCF 1242 is the MS's first point of contact with the IMS 1240. TheP-CSCF 1242 forwards session initiation protocol (SIP) messages receivedfrom the MS to an SIP server in a home network (and vice versa) of theMS. The P-CSCF 1242 can also modify an outgoing request according to aset of rules defined by the network operator (for example, addressanalysis and potential modification).

The I-CSCF 1243 forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. The I-CSCF 1243 can contact asubscriber location function (SLF) 1245 to determine which HSS 1250 touse for the particular subscriber, if multiple HSS's 1250 are present.The S-CSCF 1244 performs the session control services for the MS 1202.This includes routing originating sessions to external networks androuting terminating sessions to visited networks. The S-CSCF 1244 alsodecides whether an application server (AS) 1252 is required to receiveinformation on an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriateservice handling. This decision is based on information received fromthe HSS 1250 (or other sources, such as an application server 1252). TheAS 1252 also communicates to a location server 1256 (e.g., a GatewayMobile Location Center (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g.,latitude/longitude coordinates) of the MS 1202.

The HSS 1250 includes a subscriber profile and keeps track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It also supportssubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 1250, a subscriber location function providesinformation on the HSS 1250 that includes the profile of a givensubscriber.

The MGCF 1246 provides interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from the IMS 1240 and ISUP/BICC call control signalingfrom the external GSTN networks (not shown). It also controls the mediagateway (MGW) 1248 that provides user-plane inter-working functionality(e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice). The MGW 1248 alsocommunicates with other IP multimedia networks 1254.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of such matterare possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended toembrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fallwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to theextent that the term “includes” is used in either the detaileddescription or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpretedwhen employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: determining, by a systemincluding a processor, a multi-path scattering level and a signal tonoise ratio of a wireless data link of a mobile device, wherein themulti-path scattering level is determined based on a metric of a signalreceived from the mobile device, and the multi-path scattering levelprovides an indication of a spatial distortion scattering conditionutilized to distinguish respective data streams of a group of datastreams; and selecting, by the system, a multiple transceivercommunication technique based on a first comparison of the multi-pathscattering level with a first threshold and a second comparison of thesignal to noise ratio with a second threshold, the selecting resultingin a selected multiple transceiver communication technique.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the selecting comprises selecting a multipledata stream, multiple channel transmission technique as the selectedmultiple transceiver communication technique.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the selecting comprises selecting a multiple data stream, singlechannel transmission technique as the selected multiple transceivercommunication technique.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectingcomprises selecting a single channel transmit-receive diversity modetransmission technique as the selected multiple transceivercommunication technique.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisinginstructing, by the system, a mobile device to employ the selectedmultiple transceiver communication technique.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising instructing, by the system, a base station device toemploy the selected multiple transceiver communication technique.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the second threshold is a quality threshold.8. A machine-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructionsthat, when executed by a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations, comprising: determining a multi-path scattering level and asignal to noise ratio of a wireless data link of a mobile device,wherein the multi-path scattering level is determined based on a metricof a signal received from the mobile device, and the multi-pathscattering level provides an indication of a spatial distortionscattering condition utilized to distinguish respective data streams ofa group of data streams; and selecting a multiple transceivercommunication technique based on a first comparison of the multi-pathscattering level with a first threshold and a second comparison of thesignal to noise ratio with a second threshold.
 9. The machine-readablestorage medium of claim 8, wherein the selecting comprises selecting amultiple data stream, multiple channel transmission technique as themultiple transceiver communication technique.
 10. The machine-readablestorage medium of claim 8, wherein the selecting comprises selecting amultiple data stream, single channel transmission technique as themultiple transceiver communication technique.
 11. The machine-readablestorage medium of claim 8, wherein the selecting comprises selecting asingle channel transmit-receive diversity mode transmission technique asthe multiple transceiver communication technique.
 12. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the operationsfurther comprise instructing a mobile device to employ the multipletransceiver communication technique.
 13. The machine-readable storagemedium of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise instructing abase station device to employ the multiple transceiver communicationtechnique.
 14. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 8, whereinthe second threshold is a quality threshold.
 15. A system, comprising: aprocessor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, facilitate performance of operations,comprising: determining a multi-path scattering level and a signal tonoise ratio of a wireless data link of a mobile device, wherein themulti-path scattering level is determined based on a metric of a signalreceived from the mobile device, and the multi-path scattering level isindicative of a spatial distortion scattering condition utilized todistinguish respective data streams of a group of data streams; andselecting a multiple transceiver communication technique based on afirst comparison of the multi-path scattering level with a firstthreshold and a second comparison of the signal to noise ratio with asecond threshold.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the selectingcomprises selecting a multiple data stream, multiple channeltransmission technique as the multiple transceiver communicationtechnique.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the selecting comprisesselecting a multiple data stream, single channel transmission techniqueas the multiple transceiver communication technique.
 18. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the selecting comprises selecting a single channeltransmit-receive diversity mode transmission technique as the multipletransceiver communication technique.
 19. The system of claim 15, whereinthe operations further comprise instructing a mobile device to employthe multiple transceiver communication technique.
 20. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the operations further comprise instructing a basestation device to employ the multiple transceiver communicationtechnique.